Private contractors on rise in Iraq, profit from reconstruction efforts

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Civilian contractors supporting the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq are on the rise despite the extremist group’s military defeat, according to statistics released by the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The numbers, which are recorded quarterly have gradually increased since last year from January 2017 to January 2018.

During that one-year period, the number of US Defense Department contractors in Iraq increased 37 percent, from 3,592 to 4,927, according to CENTCOM figures released last week.

Contractors vary from those supporting base operations to translators, to those involved in reconstruction efforts.

“Contractors supporting base operations rose from 564 contractors in January to 827 contractors in January 2018,” a CENTCOM report read.

“The number of contracted translators rose from 377 in 2017 to 805 in 2018, and the number of contractors supporting logistics and maintenance rose from 1,156 to 1,480,” the report added.

Meanwhile, during a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday, Marine Brig. Gen. James F. Glynn, who heads special operations in Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve, said he was unaware of an increase in contractors.

He also added that he did not know whether the rise of contractors in Iraq was due to a decrease in US force presence, but did not provide the exact number of troops remaining in the country.

“After helping Iraqi forces retake major cities from IS over the last two and a half years, US and coalition forces have shifted gears to a stabilization and training role,” Gen. Glynn noted. “We don’t accompany the Iraqi security forces hardly ever at this point.”

Following the vicious battle against IS, Iraqi officials say that rebuilding areas destroyed due to war requires billions of dollars as well as support from the international community.